The pages on the United Artists: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | outer lobby | inner lobby | lounges | upper lobby areas | earlier auditorium views | recent auditorium views | projection | stage and stage basement | other basement areas | attic | office building/hotel interiors | roof |
This page covers the available auditorium views from 1927 to the point where renovations were underway for the reopening as the Theatre at Ace Hotel in February 2014. For later photos see the recent auditorium views page.
A preliminary drawing in the Los Angeles Public Library collection from the architects, C. Howard Crane, of Detroit, and the local associates Walker and Eisen. A version of the drawing appeared in "The Film Capital's New Picture Theatre," a profile of the new theatre in the January 7, 1928 issue of Motion Picture News. It's on Internet Archive. The article also appears on the Ace Blog.
A 1927 Mott Studios look at the auditorium from the balcony level. It's in the California State Library collection, one of eight images in their set #001407480. Note here that you can see how far the now-missing mezzanine came forward on the sides.
A version of the photo also appears with "Theatrical Theatres," an article in the January 1929 issue of Pacific Coast Architect. They also discuss the Carthay Circle and the Dufwin in Oakland. Thanks to Mike Hume/Historic Theatre Photography for finding the article on Internet Archive.
A shot quite similar to the one above except we get a bit more of the proscenium showing. This version appears in David Naylor's fine book 1981 "American Picture Palaces - The Architecture of Fantasy." He credits the photo as being from the Terry Helgesen collection. Mr. Naylor's book is a lush tour through the country's movie palaces with many stunning photos that don't appear elsewhere. A number of Los Angeles Theatres are represented. It's available on Amazon.
A version of the photo with the left side slightly cropped also appears on the site Forgotten Detroit. Also on that site see a photo gallery of the Detroit United Artists.
A detail from one of the 1927 Mott Studios photos showing the relationship of the mezzanine to the balcony above. The mezzanine was removed as part of the TODD-AO renovations in 1955.
A detail from one of the Mott Studios photos showing the lower portion of the proscenium arch.
An Anthony Heinsbergen drawing envisioning a much more elaborate treatment for the lower part of the proscenium arch. It's from the collection of Patrick Longdon. The as-built treatment was considerably simpler.
A detail from the Heinsbergen drawing. Thanks, Patrick!
A ceiling detail near the house right side of the proscenium. The photo is from an article in the July 1928 issue of Architect and Engineer titled "United Artists Theatre Los Angeles." It's on Internet Archive.
A proscenium view from the article in the July 1928 issue of Architect and Engineer. The article also has views inside the entrance and of the outer lobby stairs. Separately, the issue also has a facade view, floorplan and inner lobby view and a lobby ceiling detail.
A proscenium view from the article in the July 1928 issue of Architect and Engineer. The article also has views inside the entrance and of the outer lobby stairs. Separately, the issue also has a facade view, floorplan and inner lobby view and a lobby ceiling detail.
A look across the main floor showing the same drop as seen in the photo above.
A fine look at the drapery treatment at the time. The pit and orchestra lifts are down. You can see the tracks for the lifts on the wall below the footlights. The photo, credited to Mott Studios, appears with "Theatrical Theatres," an article in the January 1929 issue of Pacific Coast Architect. Thanks to Mike Hume/Historic Theatre Photography for finding the article on Internet Archive.
The photo is also in Marc Wanamaker's Bison Archives collection and appears on page eleven of the great 2008 Arcadia Publishing book "Theatres In Los Angeles" by Suzanne Tarbell Cooper, Amy Ronnebeck Hall and Mr. Wanamaker. The page with the photo is included in the Google Books preview. A slightly cropped version of the photo also shows up in the Los Angeles Public Library
collection.
The murals are attributed to Vsevolod Uhlianoff, an artist who was born
in 1880 in Russia and died in 1940 in Los Angeles. The work is mentioned as being by Ulianoff in
"Take Your Olympic Guest on a Mural-Paintings Tour," a May 29, 1932 L.A.
Times article by Arthur Millier that was located by Lisa Kouza Braddock. The site AskArt
has a page about Uhlianoff.
A later view of the house left sidewall mural executed by Anthony Heinsbergen's company. Jose Rivas is credited with much of the work. It's a photo in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.
The house right sidewall mural. It's a Los Angeles Public Library photo.
A house right mural detail appearing in the 2008 Arcadia Publishing book "Theatres In Los Angeles" by Suzanne Tarbell Cooper, Amy Ronnebeck Hall and Marc
Wanamaker. There's a preview you can browse on Google Books. They note that the two murals were titled "Enchantment" and "The Motion Picture Industry Encircling the Globe."
One of the balcony side exits. It's a Mott Studios photo in the California State Library collection, a photo they list as their item #001430597.
An organ grille view from "Great American Movie Theaters," a National Trust Guide by David Naylor with a foreword by Gene Kelly. The 1987 book from The Preservation Press is available on Amazon. The photo is from the Theatre Historical Society / Terry Helgesen Collection.
An undated view of the dome from the Los Angeles Public Library collection.
We get a bit of the mezzanine and some of the side wall in this shot from "The Benny Goodman Story" (Universal - International, 1956). People are actually sitting in the mezzanine! Steve Allen, as Benny Goodman, has just come up with the orchestra on the pit lift.
Another view from "The Benny Goodman Story" revealing some of the now-missing mezzanine. The film was shot before the late 1955 renovation of the United Artists to accommodate TODD-AO. See the Historic L.A. Theatres in Movies post for several more UA shots from the film.
Another view from "The Benny Goodman Story" revealing some of the now-missing mezzanine. The film was shot before the late 1955 renovation of the United Artists to accommodate TODD-AO. See the Historic L.A. Theatres in Movies post for several more UA shots from the film.
A look at the asbestos curtain from the balcony. It's a Los Angeles Public Library photo. Take a look at the compound curve of that valance at the top of the photo above and you'll realize that it is the drapery installed at the top of the deeply curved TODD-AO screen in 1955. The screen has been removed which puts the photo as being later than December 1956.
A closer look at the asbestos curtain with the UA crest. The legend at the bottom reads "The Picture's The Thing." The curtain is still used in the theatre. It's a Los Angeles Public Library photo.
A 2002 proscenium view by Betty Sword in the collection of Cezar Del Valle. Cezar is a Brooklyn-based theatre historian with a love for Los Angeles theatres. Visit his Theatre Talks website and Facebook page.
A view of the latticework on the house right side of the proscenium from the collection of Cezar Del Valle. It's a 2002 Betty Sword photo.
Photos taken in 2009 and 2010 when the building was for sale:
A look from the rear of the main floor. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009. Thanks, Pat! She was the real estate broker for the church group's 2011 sale of the building to Greenfield Partners and their operating partner Ace Hotels. Her website: PatLile.com
A proscenium view from house left with the asbestos down. Photo: Wendell Benedetti on Flickr - 2010
A look onstage. The asbestos curtain hanging upstage is from the Carthay Circle Theatre. Note that some of the proscenium cove lights are working. Photo: Wendell Benedetti on Flickr - 2010
A proscenium view from house right. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010. Ms. Pickford is the author of "Conversations with Rodolfo" and the adapter of "Rudolph Valentino: A Wife's Memories of an Icon." Both are available on Amazon. Thanks for your many photos, Hala!
A closer look at the fire curtain. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
Thanks to Don Solosan for this detail of the bottom of the fire curtain. The photo is one of nine of Don's that were featured in "Historic United Artists Theatre for Sale, Can it be Saved?," a July 2010 LAist story by Zach Behrens about the theatre and the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation's efforts to save it. The article also featured Don's "Insider's Peek #6 - United Artists" video.
Looking up at the complex structure above the proscenium. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
The dome from the main floor. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
The dome from the main floor. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
Another look up including the main floor booth. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A lovely view from onstage. Thanks to Wendell Benedetti for his 2010 photo. Head to the high-resolution version on Flickr for more detail. Also see a slightly different image from farther stage right that Wendell posted on the LAHTF Facebook page.
The dark area is where the mezzanine seating was. It's a detail from the Wendell Benedetti image above. Note the blocked-off doorways. They've now been reopened, giving people strolling the mezzanine lobby a view down onto the main floor.
A detail of the house right corner. Thanks to Don Solosan for his 2010 photo. It appeared, with eight others from Don, in a July 2010 LAist story by Zach Behrens about the theatre and the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation's efforts to save it: "Historic United Artists Theatre for Sale, Can it be Saved?"
A pre-renovation house left view of the balcony soffit and the area once occupied by the mezzanine. The fake travertine wall treatment was something the church group did, not original. It got painted over in the Ace renovations. That horizontal item sticking out onto the travertine is part of the ventilation for the booth. Photo: 2009 - Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena
A shot looking toward the house right side of the missing mezzanine. At the angle Don Solosan chose for this photo it's easy to see how far the mezzanine was cut back -- it used to extend out almost as far (on the sides anyway) as the balcony. The photo appeared with "Historic United Artists Theatre for Sale, Can it be Saved?," a July 2010 LAist story by Zach Behrens.
A house right view from back underneath the balcony. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
The house right organ grille. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009
The house right organ grille. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009
The house left organ grille area. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A closer look at the organ grille house left. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009
A look up at the plasterwork at the bottom of the house left organ grille. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A main floor exit house left. Beyond is the alley west of the building. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009
Another view of the previous sidewall treatment. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
Main floor seating. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A main floor end standard, Spanish style. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
Another main floor end standard but with a deco design. The guess is that some seats at the front of the main floor were removed for "Oklahoma!" and later replaced with seats from another theatre when these rows were reinstalled. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A look across the balcony soffit. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A balcony soffit detail. The balcony rail is out to the left. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A balcony soffit detail. The balcony rail is out to the left. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A superb view by Don Solosan looking toward the rear of the balcony. The photo appeared with a July 2010 LAist story by Zach Behrens about the theatre and the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation's efforts to save it: "Historic United Artists Theatre for Sale, Can it be Saved?"
A terrific pre-renovation balcony view. Thanks to Wendell Benedetti for his 2010 photo. Head to Flickr for a high resolution version of it. The photo also appears (uncredited) in the Wall Street Journal article "Can L.A.'s Historic Theater District Be Revived?" It's also on the LAHTF Facebook page.
A pre-renovation look into the upper section of the balcony. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009
Another look at the balcony rear house right. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A seat in the balcony. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A look back at the booth. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A house left view with some of the organ grille at the right. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
Another house left wall view. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
The Heinsbergen mural house left. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009
The murals are attributed to Vsevolod Uhlianoff, an artist who was born
in 1880 in Russia and died in 1940 in Los Angeles. The work is mentioned as being by Ulianoff in
"Take Your Olympic Guest on a Mural-Paintings Tour," a May 29, 1932 L.A.
Times article by Arthur Millier that was located by Lisa Kouza Braddock. The site AskArt
has a page about Uhlianoff. In the discussion lower on the page about the house right mural the late Tony Valdez attributes the actual painting of the murals to José Rivas.
A view of the house left mural taken by Don Solosan. It appeared on the LAHTF Facebook page in 2010 with many comments. Some possibilities discussed:
L1 = Emile Jannings, suggests Hillsman Wright and Mr. Solosan. Jane Smith adds "perhaps as Henry VIII from 'Anna Boleyn.'" L2 = Unknown. L3 = The back of photographer Billy Bitzer. Don Solosan notes that this attribution comes from LA Murals. Jane Smith adds "A lot of things Griffith gets credit for belong to Bitzer. Mary always liked him and knew that, she used to ask his advice on camera make up when at Biograph."
L4 = Valentino, suggests Hillsman. L5 = Douglas Fairbanks. L6 = Unknown. Jane Smith comments: "L6 perplexes me...looks like Robin Hood but Doug is already there. Weird thought: could it be a Peter Pan thing?" She adds that one commentator suggested that it's John Barrymore in "The Beloved Rogue."
L7 = Clara Bow, suggests Hillsman. Jane Smith has doubts: "Clara wasn't at UA, and depending when this mural was designed she could have been very under radar (It didn't come out until 1927). Everyone else seems 'less obscure' than she would have been at the time. I've decided I think it might be Norma Talmadge. She was popular, as standard as Mary, and the wife of Joseph Schenck who had just joined the company in 25 (or 26...25?)." Possibly it's Talmadge in "The Dove."
L8 = Brandon Hurst, the Caliph in "The Thief of Bagdad" (1924), according to Annie Laskey. L9 = Chaplin. L16 = Mary Pickford as an angel in chains. Don Solosan cites Cinema Treasures contributor Lockley for this idea. The devils are possibly various evil studio executives also suggests Lockley.
A detail of the the lower portion of the house left mural. The photo by Don Solosan appeared on the LAHTF Facebook page and with the July 2010 LAist article.
Another house left mural detail. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A closer look at Valentino, with the burnoose. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A detail of the upper portion of the house left mural. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
Wendell Benedetti's take on the house left mural. His 2010 photo is on Flickr. The demonic types are supposedly the suits descending on the gentle creative types.
A house left mural detail from Wendell Benedetti. It was a 2010 post on the LAHTF Facebook page.
A look house right. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
The house right wall. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009
A closer look at the house right mural. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A house right mural detail. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
The house right wall. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009
A closer look at the house right mural. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A house right mural detail. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
The house right mural numbers game. It's a Don Solosan photo that appeared on the LAHTF Facebook page, again with many comments. R1 = Wallace Reid is the faint face at the far left according to Annie Laskey. The late Tony Valdez took exception to that guess and commented: "The information we gathered concerning R1 was based on conversations with movie historians, former UA theatre employees, and Heinsbergen crews that worked with José Rivas who actually painted the mural. They all said R1 represented William S. Hart. He was portrayed as a small, faded and shadowy figure to reflect his contentious relationship with UA after the release of his film 'Tumbleweeds.'" In the 1990s Tony did extensive research for what the L.A. Conservancy's Broadway Theatres Walking Tour.
R2 = Gloria Swanson, says Hillsman Wright. He's seconded by Jane Smith. R3 = Nobody, according to Hillsman. "It was originally painted as Wallace Beery, but after their divorce, Gloria didn't want him looking over her shoulder." R4 = Mary Pickford, suggests Hillsman.
R5 = Don comments: "I've read that one of these figures is either Gilbert Roland or Ronald Coleman -- R5?" Jane Smith adds: "R5 could be either guy...Ronald Coleman was not with UA though. Could it be Ramon Novarro? But he wasn't with UA." Jane quotes a commentator named Pillbert who suggests that R5 is probably Ronald Colman in "The Night of Love."
R6 = Possibly Theodore Roberts. Jane Smith comments: "Everyone agrees R6 is a Moses of some sort; but no one is 100%. If it's Moses from 'Ten Commandments" then it would be actor Theodore Roberts." R7 = Unknown. Don notes that number refers to the woman visible above the bearded man's outstretched arm. Jane Smith: "I swear she looks like Gloria Swanson more than anyone...but obviously she is not." R8 = Billy Bitzer, according to Hillsman. R9 = Douglas Fairbanks. R10 = D.W. Griffith, says Hillsman. R12 = Don asks: "Could Schenck be the guy featured in the middle at R12? I can't find a photo of him when he was younger and had hair..." R14 = Unknown. Jane Smith suggests: "Kinda looks like Doug to me."
Don comments: "The 'Forces of Good' are supposedly based on UA's board of directors. Anybody know who they might be?" Jane Smith comments: "As for the board Mary is obviously the Angel. The founders of UA are already represented, but could be doubly so. Joseph Schenck was the only addition. So there are 5 'angels,' 1 female. Me thinks the 4 men are the 4 men on the UA board: D.W. Griffith, Doug, Charlie Chaplin, and Schenck. The two bearded fellows in the evil mural look like they come from some Biblical movie like Ben Hur. Did UA do any similar things?"
A great Don Solosan closeup view of the lower portion of the house right mural. That's Mary Pickford in the center. The photo has made appearances on the LAHTF Facebook page and with the July 2010 LAist article about the theatre. Thanks for these photos, Don!
The house right mural. It's a 2010 Wendell Benedetti photo on Flickr. Mr. Benedetti's photos here are part of his Historic Los Angeles Theatres set He also has a 2014 photo of the house right mural on the LAHTF Facebook page with discussion in the comments about various overpaintings.
A view from the balcony with the asbestos in. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
Another stage view from the balcony. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A detail of the upper part of the proscenium. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009
The dome all lit up. Photo: Pat Lile - Coldwell Banker Pasadena - 2009. Thanks for all the photos, Pat!
Another dome view. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010
A dome detail. Photo: Hala Pickford - 2010. Thanks for all the photos, Hala!
Photos from 2012 while renovations were underway on the hotel portion of the project:
Looking in from the rear of the main floor. Onstage we see both a bit of the asbestos and the bottom of the movie screen. The stage was occupied by temporary construction offices. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - October 2012. Keep up with Hunter's explorations: on Facebook | hunterkerhart.com | on Flickr
Looking in from the rear of the main floor. Onstage we see both a bit of the asbestos and the bottom of the movie screen. The stage was occupied by temporary construction offices. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - October 2012. Keep up with Hunter's explorations: on Facebook | hunterkerhart.com | on Flickr
A wide angle view of the dome from the front of the main floor. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
A look across the raised orchestra pit lift. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
A detail of the plaster below the organ grille. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
A detail of the plaster below the organ grille. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
Proscenium damage stage left caused by the 1955 TODD-AO installation. Photo: Bill Counter - 2012
The back of the auditorium pre-renovation. Note the mezzanine doors to nowhere. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
The exit sign at the top of a main floor aisle. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
A good view of the the pre-renovation wall treatment. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012. At the time Hunter took these photos during the hotel renovation the only light in the theatre was from the construction offices onstage.
The view across toward house left. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
The house left mural. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
The United Artists never ran as a burlesque house but burlesque star Dita Von Teese made a balcony appearance in a December 2012 California Style / C Magazine article by Kelsey McKinnon."...One of the Most Scandalous Acts...." The bright lights coming off the stage aren't a setup for an upcoming production but rather from the temporary construction offices onstage. The photo is by Ruven Afandor.
A great shot of the dome and the surrounding plasterwork. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
Looking down toward the stage from the top of the balcony. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012
A house right plaster detail from the 2012 Hunter Kerhart photo above.
Working on the seats during the Ace renovations. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - December 2013. Thanks, Hunter! See where he's been lately with his architectural photography adventures: on Facebook | hunterkerhart.com | on Flickr
The dome from the top of the balcony. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2012.
Working on the seats during the Ace renovations. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - December 2013. Thanks, Hunter! See where he's been lately with his architectural photography adventures: on Facebook | hunterkerhart.com | on Flickr
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